The cold night air bit against Quinn's ears, and he pulled his hood up against the sea breeze. The FAYZ group had decided to meet up along the Santa Monica pier, and after a few minutes of walking they decided to catch up on the beach.

Quinn looked at the others walking around ankle-deep in the water. He sat back alone, away from the crashing waves. Surfing had taken up most of his day, and he was done with the water for the time being.

Lana began walking towards him, and Quinn straightened up. He panicked for a moment, wondering if there was anything on his face, and what would he say, oh god what could he say? Quinn hadn't spoken to anyone from the FAYZ other than Sam and Astrid and Diana since the walls went down, and he was at a loss for words. Not to mention he still had a crush on Lana.

She plopped down beside him on his open towel, and leaned in close in a friendly sort of way. Quinn held his breath.

"It got too cold by the water." Lana said, smiling. Quinn looked up at her and noticed how much older she had gotten since he last saw her. Her hair had been chopped shorter, and she looked less frail, like she was finally eating right. He himself had grown a lot since the FAYZ, bulking up even more from the surfing and crewing he had taken on as hobbies.

"It's still cold back here." Quinn replied quietly. Smooth, real smooth Quinn. What a charmer.

"What?"

"Nothing. What have you been up to?" Better.

"I'm planning on going to college next year. I don't have much else left to do."

"Is Sanjit paying for it?"

"No, well he was going to, but we broke up last month so I don't know if that offer is still on the table."

Quinn froze. "You guys broke up?"

Lana looked pensive, like she wasn't sure what to feel. "Yeah. It was mutual. It just didn't feel right anymore."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Don't worry about it."

They sat in silence, both trying to figure out what to say. The breeze blew stronger, and Lana leaned in closer to Quinn. He put his arm around her. Lana scooted closer, and they sat together quietly, listening to the sound of the waves crashing and their friends laughing by the water.

Quinn tried not to smile, not to laugh, but he couldn't help it.

"What?" Lana turned to face Quinn. She kept his arm around her.

"I'm just happy to be here with you."

"What are the odds everyone will run up to us in the next ten seconds?" Lana asked, the question resting on her lips.

"Extremely unlikely."

Lana leaned in close. Quinn took in every part of her: her soft lips, the feeling of her body against his, the smell of her soap still lingering on her skin. The first kiss was small, just beyond a peck, almost inconsequential. To anyone else, they could have been whispering, sharing a secret. Quinn needed more. He needed her lips on his like he needed the ocean. Quinn grabbed her waist and pulled her even closer. Each kiss became more of a need, and it took all Quinn had in him to break away.

"What?" Lana looked up at him. He kissed her on the cheek, but he was looking towards the setting sun.

"I think they're watching us." Quinn was squinting his eyes, looking at their friends who were no longer splashing in the waves, and were facing their direction. Lana waved. The group waved back.

"It was worth it."

"Agreed." Quinn wrapped his arm around her again, hoping the night would never end.